Page "First Epistle of John" Paragraph 7

Whereas the Gospel of John was written to unbelievers, this epistle was written to those who were already believers ( 5: 13 ).

It seems likely that its audience was largely gentile rather than Jewish, since it contains few Old Testament quotations or distinctly Jewish forms of expression.

The epistle was likely carried by itinerant missionaries to different churches throughout the region and read aloud to the congregations.